Table



Ap1i119,1938. R X 2,114,912

TABLE Filed June 1, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor due/-22? am.

A iiorneus V A. P. cox

April 19, 1938.

TABLE Filed June 1, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I gmm A iiorneys Patented Apr. 19, 1938 UNITE STATES ATENT oFFicE TABLE Albert P. Cox, Young, Ariz. Application June 1, 1937, Serial No. 145,861

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in tables of the crossed leg type and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a table of this character which may be conveniently folded when not in use and which, when folded, will occupy a minimum of space.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a table of the aforementioned character embodying novel means for securing the device in folded position.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a folding table of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, light in weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specifica- 20 tion, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure l is a view in side elevation of a table constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing said table in folded position.

Figure 2 is a view in end elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view through the upper portion of the invention.

Figure 4 is a detail view in bottom plan, showing the latch for securing the substantially U- shaped member when the table is folded.

Figure 5 is a detail view in perspective of the substantially U-shaped member or bar constituting an important part of the invention.

Figure 6 is a detail view in perspective of the brace which pivotally connects the crossed legs.

Figure '7 is a detail view broken away in section, showing the means for connecting the upper ends of the legs to the rods.

Figure 8 is a full width cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows on said line.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a substantially rectangular metallic frame I having secured thereon a top 2. Mounted beneath the frame I and top 2 are spaced, parallel intermediate and outer bars 3 and 4, respectively. The bars 3 and 4 have formed longitudinally therein slots 5 the purpose of which will be presently set forth.

Extending through one end portion of the bars 3 and 4 is a rod 6 which is secured against longitudinal movement by suitable collars 1. The

(Oren-8?.)

reference numeral 8 designates a rod which is mounted to travel in the slots 5 of the bars 3 and t. Pairs of crossed legs 9 are connected at their upper ends to the rods 6 and 8. As shown to advantage in Fig. 7 of the drawings, the rods 6 and 8 terminate in headed trunnions Ill on which the legs 9 are mounted. The pairs of legs 9 are pivotally connected at an intermediate point through the medium of a brace l I. As illustrated to advantage in Fig. 6 of the drawings, the brace i 1 includes offset end portions l2 which are journaled in the legs 9. These offset end portions l2 of the brace II permit the legs 9 to fold to a position alongside of the bars 4, as illustrated to advantage in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

The end portions ll of the brace II are provided with apertures I21: for the reception of cotter pins (not shown) to retain the legs 9 on said end portions 12. Manifestly, however, any other suitable means may be employed for the retention of the legs 9 on the brace portions l2 without affecting my invention.

Mounted on the rod 8 is a substantially U- shaped, angular member I3 which straddles the intermediate bar 3, said member having eyes or bearings 14 on its ends which are journaled on said rod 8. A suitable latch I5 is pivotally mounted on one end portion of the intermediate bar 3 for securing the member l3 against swinging movement on the rod 8 when the table is folded (see Figs. 1 and 6). Depending from the other end portion of the intermediate bar 3 is a pivoted hook IS in which the free end of. the member I3 is engaged when the table is in open position (see Fig. 4).

In operation, the table may be expeditiously opened by releasing the free end of the substantially U-shaped member l3 from the latch 15, swinging said member upwardly on the rod 8 and then pushing on said member in a manner to move said rod 8 away from the rod 6 in the slots 5 thereby opening the legs 9 and raising the top 2 to a horizontal position. The free end of the member [3 is then engaged in the pivoted hook [6 in a manner to be supported thereby. When the table is in folded position and the member [3 is secured by the latch IE, it will benoted that said member 13 extends across the brace H and thus secures the legs 9 in folded position adjacent the top 2.

It is believed that the many advantages of a folding table constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood and although a preferred embodiment of the table is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

l. A table comprising a top, a plurality of spaced parallel bars mounted beneath said top, said bars having longitudinal slots therein, a rod mounted in the bars adjacent one end of said bars, a rod operable in the slots, pairs of legs connected, at one end, to the end portions of the first and second named rods, a brace extending between the pairs of legs and journaled therein for pivotally connecting said pairs of legs for folding movement, a member pivotally mounted on the second named rod and engageable with the brace for securing the legs in folded position, and means on one of the bars for securing said member in operative position.

2. A folding table comprising a top, intermediate and outer parallel bars mounted beneath said top, said bars having longitudinal slots therein, a rod mounted in one end portion ofthe bars, a rod operable in the slots, foldable legs connected, at one end, to the rods, a brace extending between the pairs of legs and having its end portions journaled therein for pivotall'y connecting said legs at an intermediate point, a substantially U- shaped member straddling the intermediate bar and journaled on the second named rod, said member being engageable with the brace for securing the legs in folded position, and a latch mounted on the intermediate bar and engageable with said member for releasably securing same in operative position.

3. A table comprising a top, a rod supported under the top adjacent to one edge thereof, a rod parallel to the first-named rod and movable away from and toward the same, guide means at the underside of the top for the second-named rod, pairs of legs connected at one end to the end portions of. the first and second-named rods, a brace extending between the pairs of legs and journaled therein for pivotally connecting said pairs of legs for folding movement, a member pivotally mounted on the second-named rod and engageabl'e' with the brace for'securing the legs in folded position, and means at the underside of the top to detachably secure said member in position to retain the table in folded state.

ALBERT P. COX. 

